Fashion Snoops

After sitting down with our trade show team, we found out the latest buzz in toddler and young children's apparel is coming from a new group of business people: Parents. The term Parentrepreneurs is not new but this group who sees fashion from the inside out is making waves in the childrenswear segment.

Parents who have been frustrated by their own needs not being met are turning around and saying 'Well, I'll just make it myself because if I am having trouble finding X, chances are someone else feels the same way too." For some, the fruits of their labor are a side bar business that may help to pay for trips or tuition; for others, it's a complete business idea that has taken on a life of its own.

Parents are cashing in on designs that either solve a problem or that bring beauty or additional functionality to already existing products. Some parents are bringing reversible clothing to the market while others are adding removable sleeves on outerwear for quick change and longer seasonal wear possibilities. Other parents are taking a simple child milestone fact and turning it into a lucrative design concept. At Monkey Toes, shoes and socks all feature an adorable design on the toes to prompt exploration for early learning. The line does go well beyond that exploratory age and becomes the 'cute shoe' that completes the outfit but that also becomes a conversation starter for toddlers in the verbal acquisition stage.

At Fabkins, cloth napkins become cool for school packed lunches while at Baby Bonkie, the swaddler becomes the sure fire sleeper hit offering parent some much needed zzz's.

This lifestyle trend is just starting to become important. More parents are looking for creative ways to augment their income and with the connectivity of the internet, parenting blogs and the eco sustainability trend, a captive audience is looking for problem solving ideas, longer lasting clothing, and non-gender printed apparel that can be handed down from one child to another!

http://www.monkey-toes.com/

http://www.babybonkie.com/

http://www.fabkins.com/